Houston Astros Announce Dusty Baker As New Manager

Dusty Baker was announced as the Houston Astros new manager on Wednesday.

Baker, who will replace A.J. Hinch who was fired earlier this month, is signed on for one-season with a club-option and buyout for 2021.

This will be the fifth managerial stop for Baker, who at 70 will be the oldest manager in Major League Baseball. Baker was last the manager of the Washington Nationals in 2017, where they went 97-65 and finish first in the NL East. Over his 22 seasons as a manager, Baker has a .532 winning percentage going 1,836-1,636. His other previous teams include the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds.

The Astros continue to press forward, trying to leave behind the damage of the electronic sign-stealing scandal that occurred under Hinch’s watch. Hinch was suspended by MLB through the 2020 World Series, however, both he and general manager Jeff Luhnow were fired by the team after findings.

Baker is the 24th manager in Astros team history. He will also coach the American League All-Star team in July, since the Astros won the pennant in 2019.